Our story begins in the townlands of Aughtermoy, Ballinamallagh near Dunnamanagh, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland. A rural, mainly bog or marshy land, with pockets of grazing pastures for both dairy and beef cattle. Farmsteads were mostly small with a few acres attached and on the whole were owned by Roman Catholic farmers.

1876.

James Carlin marries Margaret Bridget Rodgers, both full age and residing in Aughtermoy. The marriage took place in the Roman Catholic Church at Killena, Dunnamanagh, by the Rev D Doherty. James's Father, Hugh Carlan was a labourer, as was Hugh Rodgers, Bridget's Father. The witnesses to the marriage were: Joseph White and Rose Rodgers. James was a," labourer" and Bridget was recorded as a, "Servant". They have six children: Catherine (1878), Bridget (1880), John (1881), Jane (1884), Hugh (1885) and finally William in (1887).

1888

Within three miles of Aughtermoy, is the townlands of Meendamph and Ballinamallagh. Here on 12^th February 1888, Charles Mc Cullagh married Mary Slevin. Both were full age, Charles resided at Meendamph while Mary resided at Ballinamallagh, Charles's occupation was a labourer. Both fathers; Charles Mc Cullagh (Deceased) and James Slevin, were "Farmers" and the witnesses to the marriage were: Michael Mc Grinder and Rose Donaghey. The marriage was preformed by the Rev B Mulholland cc. The marriage produced 4 children: Charles (1899), Annie (1892), twins Rosey & Minnie (1896). When Charles Snr died, Mary's Mother Mary moved into the Charles and Mary's house in Ballinamallagh.

1893

James Carlin passed away on 12^th June 1893 aged 41, suffering from Phtlusis for years. His death was registered by his Father Hugh Carlin who was present at the death at Bunowen in the townland of Ballynenor on the 15^th June 1893. He was survived by his wife Bridget and family of six.

1898

John Carlin joins the Enniskillen Fusiliers in 1898 aged 17years and 6 months. He served in a number of countries and had a lengthy military record. He returned home and married Ellan Melaugh on 6^th July 1908.

1898

Bridget Carlin ( James & Margret`s Daughter), married Robert Boyle in the RC Church on Strabane. Robert was an "Adult" and Bridget was 19 years old, a Bachelor and Spinster. His occupation was a "Heckler" and Bridget a "Mill Worker". Robert was residing at Bearney Strabane and Bridget at Carrigullen Strabane. Robert`s Father was Neal Boyle and Bridget`s : James Carlin. Both Father`s are recorded as " Labourers". The witnesses to the marriage were: John Howard and Annie Howard( her mark). The marriage was conducted by Rev Joseph Bradley CC.

1901

In the 1901 census of Ireland, We find Bridget Carolan living in No. 15 Carrigullen Rd in the townland of Edymore, Camus, Strabane. In the household at the address we have:

Bridger Carolan (head of Family) aged 46, Roman Catholic and a widow.

William Carolan male son aged 15, a Roman Catholic, "Spreader" in spinning mill, not married and he can read and write.

Hugh Carolan male son aged 17, Roman Catholic, "Spreader" in spinning mill, not married, he can also read and write.

Bridget Boyle female daughter aged 20, Roman Catholic, "Reeler" in spinning mill, married and she can read and write.

Mary Boyle female Grand Daughter aged 1 year, Roman Catholic, not married and cannot read nor write.

In the Townland of Ballinamallagh, at a house owned by a John Donnell, we find the Mc Cullagh Family. Head of the Family is Charles aged 40 and a Farmer. His Wife Mary, a Seamstress aged 30, her mother Mary, a Widow aged 70, Charles his Son a scholar aged 12, all can read & write. Next we have Annie, his Daughter aged 9 along with Rosey and Minie the twins aged 5, neither can read nor write. The entire family are Roman Catholic.

1904

On Monday the 10th October 1904, Annie Mc Cullagh( McCollugh), left the quiet townland of Ballinamallagh and travel the 14 or so miles to Derry.At Derry port she boarded the SS Columbia and sailed off to Philadelphia USA, she was 11 years old. . We believe she traveled with a "Annie Rodgers", possibly a cousin,their destination in Philadelphia was: 2133 Mountroserose St,where she was staying with her Aunt also called Annie Mc Cullagh. From family stories that have been passed down and one photograph, it was said she disliked it so much she returned some (2 ) years later in 1908,sailing from New York to Derry on board the White Star liner the "Laurentic", vowing never to return! On her arrival back in Ireland she took up work as a servant and We find her working for the Dick family in Douglas Burn in the Townland of Knockannilar, Legfrodrum Strabane in 1911.

1906

William Carlin service No.8509, joined the Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers on the 28th January. He served a total of 9 years and 163 days and was posted to: France, Crete, Malta, China and finally took part in the expeditionary to France on the 28th April 1914. He was discharged on medical grounds with "inflamation of the middle ear" on the 20th June 1915.

1908

John Carlin married Ellen Melaugh in the RC Church in Strabane. Both were "Full Age", John is recorded as a Labourer. Both are residing at Bearney Strabane. James Carlin is John`s Father and Christopher Melaugh is Ellen`s Father. The ocupation of both Father`s is recorded as Labourer`s and the witnesses to the marriage were : John Melaugh and Jane Carlin( her mark). The marriage was preformed by Rev Peter Tracy CC.

1911

Bridget Carlin is residing at an address 18 Bearney Glebe, Strabane. Her age is given as 67 and a widow. With her in the house is:

Jane Carlin 21, Daughter, a "Spinner" in local flax mill, single and

George Carlin 1 year, Grandson.

At 17 Bearney Glebe, Strabane, we have Bridget`s Son, Hugh Carlin 25 with an occupation recorded as "Navy". With Hugh is:

Susan Carlin 26 Wife,

Cassie Daughter 3 and Annie Daughter 2

!913

Charles Mc Cullagh joined the Leciestershire Regiment cycle corp on 16th March 1913. He made the rank of Lance Corporal and fought in the batttle of Bailleul in Belgium. It was here that Charles is beleived to have died. What followes is a discription of his regiments movements and battle details for the date of his death, we can only assume he was involved in this battle in some manner:

1913

On the 12th October 1913, Hugh Moan married Jane Carlin in St ary`s RC Church Melount, Strabane. Both were "Full Age" and Both resided at Ballyfatton, Sionmills. Hugh was a Labourer and Jane a "Mill Worker" The names of their Fathers were: Hugh Moan and James Carlin and their occupations were both Labourer`s. The withnesses to the arriage were: Bob Ward and Teresa Mc Cay. The service was prefored by the Rev P O Doherty CC.

1ST Leicester War Diary

The 1st Leicester's 15.04.1918

The war diary for today records that the Battalion were in the front line in the Neuve Eglise sector. Patrols sent out throughout the night, no definite information gained. One prisoner a German Officer captured on Neuve Eglise – Dranoutre Road. At 10.30am Operational Order number 300 received from Brigade placing one Company of 9th Norfolk Regiment hitherto attached to us under order of Officer Commanding 9th Norfolk Regiment. Quiet morning, Brigade Major and Brigade I. O. called at 12 o clock and went round line with Commanding Officer. At 1.30pm very heavy shelling of area held by Battalion commenced. The shelling gradually increased in intensity and reached its climax about 3.00pm. Telephone lines to Brigade held until about 3.15pm and from communications heard it was gathered that 9th Norfolk Regiment on our right had been attacked and driven back. A counter attack temporally resolved the situation, but remaining troops were not sufficiently strong to hold the line. This made the position of our right Company somewhat precarious, but they held on although a runner reported at Battalion HQ's that they had left some of their trenches at 3.15pm. A defensive flank was formed valley in S. 12.d. by one platoon of B Company and Battalion HQ's. Later reports indicated that A company were compelled to evacuate their trenches about 4.30pm owing to very heavy shelling and in order to get touch with 9th Norfolk Regiment on right, who had withdrawn to the line of the railway S.12.a. At 4.25pm D Company on left reported that everything was all right, casualties slight. B Company reported frequently during bombardment 1.30 to 3.30pm about which time the intensity of the bombardment considerably decreased. At 5.00pm the enemy brought up a field gun to within a few hundred yards of the front line which commenced firing point blank at our trenches. At 6.30pm a message was received from A Company advising that their line ran as follows: - S.12.d. 20.50 (12 men), S.12.d. 30.70 (6 men), S.12.d. 50.80 (7 men). Enemy at S.12.c and advancing, nobody visible on right. One platoon of C Company under 2nd Lt. Sims had been sent to support A Company about 4.30pm. At 7.15pm situation advised to Brigade as follows: - Left Company as usual. Left centre Company as usual except for one platoon in reserve sent to reinforce right Company. Right centre Company strong point T.7.a. 15.80 to S.12.d. 90.60. A Company and one platoon of C Company, HQ's S.12.d. 75.50 to S.12.d. 30.50 facing east-south, one platoon at S.12.a. 70.60. Still in reserve one platoon left centre Company. Battalion HQ's established at T.7.a. 15.00. Enemy believed to be at S.12.d. 70.20 and S.12.c. 20.20. At 7.50pm remaining reserve platoon sent to assist right Company to hold their line. Instructions sent to A Company not to retire except under pressure and to join up with 9th Norfolk Regiment holding line of railway in S.12.a. if need be. At 8.00pm A Company reported enemy concentrating for an attack on their front and more men urgently needed to help hold his line, all available servants and orderlies were sent forward pending arrival of 12 men asked for from C Company. Eventually enough men were obtained to hold the line continuously, the support platoon of D Company being called upon to fill the gap. Barrage was put down by the artillery and the attack came to nothing. Officer Commanding B Company reported all quiet at 9.20pm. At 9.00pm Brigade Operational Order number 301 was received informing us to hold on to our positions. Casualties, other ranks A Company 3 killed, 25 wounded, 8 missing. B Company 11 wounded. C Company 2 killed, 7 wounded, 1 missing. D Company 2 killed, 1 missing. Casualties, officers Lt. A. Hill killed, Lt. W. Clancey wounded.

1915

On the 1st August William Carlin married Annie Mc Cullagh in the RC Church in Strabane. Both were "Full age" and a Bachelor and a Spinster. William was a Labourer and Annie a Servant. William is residing at Bearney Strabane and Annie at Liskey Strabane. James Carlin and Charles Mc Cullagh are the respective Fathers and both are recorded as Labourers. Witnesses to the Marriage were: William Moan and Minnie Mc Cullagh. The couple were married by the Rev Hugh Mc Glynn CC.

1919

On Thursday 5th June, at Bearney crossroads, John Carlin had returned from a fair in Strabane Town. He climbed a tree and was showing a number of people arcobatics that he had witnessed that day in Strabane. He fell out of the tree and died 2 days later on Saturday 7th from a fractured scull. He was 38 years old. At his funeral he was accorded a full military funeral with a band from the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers playing.